Coupling means for building frameworks, racks, scaffolds, and the like



Nov. 9, 1965 L. RIFKEN 3,216,752

COUPLING MEANS FOR BUILDING FRAMEWORKS, RACKS, SCAFFOLDS, AND

THE LIKE Filed June 26, 1963 Jauzisl. Pa Kara 1% W 3,216,752 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 United States Patent Office 3 216 752 COUPLING MEANS F O R BUILDING FRAME- WORKS, RACKS, SCAFFOLDS, AND THE LIKE Louis L. Rifken, 122 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, Ill. Filed June 26, 1963, Ser. No. 290,670 3 Claims. (Cl. 287-54) This invention relates to improvements in coupling means for building frameworks, racks, scalfolds, and the like.

One of the object of this invention is to provide a coupling member adapted to interlock and couple two or three framework members, pipes, or the like, in a positively locked position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling device having means for causing the framework members to engage each other in a locked position and simultaneously provide clamping means for'additionally engaging the framework members to reinforce the locking and positively maintain said members in such locked position.

This invention is an improvement on the structure described in my copending application, Serial No. 185,958 filed April 9, 1962.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of the parts comprising the coupling means;

FIG. 2 is a side plan elevational view of same coupled with three framework members;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 but showing two framework members coupled;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is a view taken on lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

The coupling member consists essentially of two parts, both of which are shown in FIG. 1. The holder member which provides the sockets for receiving the framework is generally indicated at 10 and a separate U-shaped clamping member generally indicated at 12 cooperates with the holder, for the purpose to be described. These two parts are secured together by a threaded member or bolt generally indicated at 14.

The holder 10 may be cast or formed of steel or any other material desired. It is generally C-shaped in side plan elevation and has a central body portion A with a pair of outwardly extending arms or sections B and C. As shown, the holder 10 is formed with a pair of parallel spaced side walls 16 and 18 connected at their opposite end by curved or arcuate shaped end walls 20 and 22.

The arcuate shaped end walls 20 and 22 in effect form the side socket members 24 and 26, for each receiving a framework member. The axis of socket member 24 is perpendicular or at right angles to the axis of socket member 26, and the axes of the two side sockets intersect or meet within the outer borders of the arms or sections B and C of the holder 10. The intersection is in alinernent with the threaded bolt 14. Each side socket member 24 and 26 receives a framework member designated respectively by the numerals 28 and 30.

The holder 10 is provided with a generally U-shaped central recess 32 extending transversely of the holder which forms a central socket 34 for receiving a third framework member 36, such as a tube, pipe or the like, similar to that previously described. Extending between the side walls 16 and 18 and connected thereto is a cross member 38 which has an inner arcuate shaped surface 40 which forms the inner wall of the central socket 34 and against which the framework 36 rests.

The side walls 16 and 18 each have spaced inner rectilinear wall edges 42 and 44 formed by the recess 32, and said edges each merge into the arcuate shaped surface 40. The arms B and C are each provided with an enlarged opening designated by the numerals 43 and 45 communicating with the central recess 32. The openings 43 and 45 are formed between the spaced side walls 16 and 18 and extend from the arcuate shaped surface 40 of the cross member to the opposite end of the arms B and C.

' The cross member 38 has a top wall 46 and a pair of spaced parallel end Walls 48 perpendicular thereto. The

.top wall 46 is positioned below the upper edges of the side walls 16 and 18 so that the cross member is received within the side walls 16 and 18. The end walls 48 of the cross member are in substantially the same plane as the Wfllll edges 42 and 44. The cross member is provided with a central threaded opening 50.

A U-shaped clamping bar designated generally by the numeral 12 is adapted to rest on the cross member 38, as shown in FIG. 4, with the sides or legs 54 of the U- shaped member extending downwardly and into the openings 43 and 45 of the arms B and C, for the purpose of engaging the framework member or members in the side sockets 24 and 26 and thereby positively clamping the framework members in position. The U-shaped clamping bar 12 is provided with an enlarged opening 56 coaxial with the threaded opening 50.

The threaded bolt 14 has an adjusting pressure nut 58 positioned thereon. The threaded bolt passes through the opening 56 and engages the threaded opening 50 whereby the threaded member or bolt 14 may be adjusted to extend into the central socket 34 and engage the framework member 36 positioned within said socket, as shown in FIG. 4. It will be seen that the longitudinal axis of the central socket 34 is transverse to the axes of either of the side sockets 24, 26, and is within the plane of the axes of said side sockets.

This device may be used to couple two or three tubular members or frameworks in the manner illustrated in the drawings. For example, for the purpose of coupling three frameworks, each of the sockets 24, 26 and 34 receives a framework member, as shown. By adjusting the pressure nut 58 on the threaded bolt 14 and then rotating the threaded bolt 14, the pressure nut 58 bears against the top of the clamping member 12 to cause it to move towards and positively engage the framework members 28 and 30 in the sockets 24 and 26 and to hold same in such position. As seen, the threaded bolt 14 engages the framework 36 in the central socket 34 and the sides 54 of the U-shaped clamping member 12 extend into the openings 43 and 45 and engage the said framework member 36 and simultaneously engage the two other framework members 28 and 30 in the side sockets. Thus, by adjusting the threaded bolt 14 and pressure nut 58, the clamping member 12 and bolt 14 cause the framework members to engage each other in a locked position and simultaneously causes the clamping member to itself engage said framework members to apply an additional locking on said framework members so that the framework members are locked together by the forces of the framework members contacting each other and by the forces of the clamping member against the framework members.

In FIG. 4, two tubular frameworks are interlocked. One framework is in the central socket 34 and the other in one of the side sockets, for example, socket 24. If it is desired to support the framework members in the two side sockets and not in the central socket, the legs of the clamping member will engage the framework members to lock them in clamping position even though the threaded bolt 14 is not in engagement with a framework member.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling member comprising a body portion having a central socket and a pair of side sockets all integrally formed, each of said sockets adapted to removxably receive a separate removable framework member, the axis of one side socket intersecting the axis of the other side socket in a single plane and the longitudinal axis of said central socket extending transversely to the axes of said side sockets, the framework member in said central socket being positioned between the removable framework member in said side sockets, a locking member secured in said body and extending into said central socket to engage the framework in said central socket and urge it against the removable frameworks in said side sockets to couple same together, a clamping member co-operating with said locking member and extending into said body and engaging the two removable frameworks in said side sockets when in clamping relation to reinforce the coupling of said frameworks.

2. A structure of the character defined in claim 1, said clamping member comprising a generally U-shaped member with the legs thereof engaging the framework members in the side sockets.

3. A structure defined in claim 2 in which the body has a centrally positioned cross member, the inner wall of which forms the central socket, said cross member having a threaded opening to receive a threaded member which moves said clamping bar inwardly to cause same to engage the framework members in said side sockets.

OTHER REFERENCES Kwikform Limited, 811,427, April 1959, sheet No. 2 relied upon.

CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COUPLING MEMBER COMPRISING A BODY PORTION HAVING A CENTRAL SOCKET AND A PAIR OF SIDE SOCKETS ALL INTEGRALLY FORMED, EACH OF SAID SOCKETS ADAPTED TO REMOVABLY RECEIVE A SEPARATE REMOVABLE FRAMEWORK MEMBER, THE AXIS OF ONE SIDE SOCKET INTERSECTING THE AXIS OF THE OTHER SIDE SOCKET IN A SINGLE PLANE AND THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID CENTRAL SOCKET EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY TO THE AXES OF SAID SIDE SOCKETS, THE FRAMEWORK MEMBER IN SAID CENTRAL SOCKET BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN THE REMOVABLE FRAMEWORK MEMBER IN SAID SIDE SOCKETS, A LOCKING MEMBER SECURED IN SAID BODY AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CENTRAL SOCKET TO ENGAGE THE FRAMEWORK IN SAID CENTRAL SOCKET AND URGE IT AGAINST THE REMOVABLE FRAMEWORKS IN SAID SIDE SOCKETS TO COUPLE SAME TOGETHER, A CLAMPING MEMBER CO-OPERATING WITH SAID LOCKING MEMBER AND EXTENDING INTO SAID BODY AND ENGAGING THE TWO REMOVABLE FRAMEWORKS IN SAID SIDE SOCKETS WHEN IN CLAMPING RELATION TO REINFORCE THE COUPLING OF SAID FRAMEWORKS. 